Can opener



P 1965 E. L. ZIBBELL ETAL 3,204,336

CAN OPENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2., 1962 v: Om

INVENTORS ELMORE L. ZIBBELL OSCAR QHANSEN AT RNEYS P 1965 E. 1.. ZlBBELL ETAL 3,204,336

CAN OPENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 2., 1962 BY OSCAR C.HAN SEN Sept. 7, 1965 Filed July 2 1962 E. I... ZIBBELL ETAL CAN OPENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i f i I FIGJO.

INVENTORS ELMORF L.ZIBBELL BY OSCAR C. HANSEN fiTTOR NEYS United States Patent 3,204,336 CAN OPENER Elmore L. Zibhell, Redford, and Oscar C. Hansen, Detroit, Mich, agignors to Ferro Manufacturing Corporation, a corporation of Michigan Filed July 2, 1962, Ser. No. 206,958 Claims. (Cl. 6.1)

This invention relates to a devise adapted to perforate the top of a can in order that the contents thereof may be dispensed, and more particularly, to a can punch which provides a more efficient and reliable opener for quickly and easily puncturing the top or end wall of an ordinary can of the liquid-containing variety in order to form one or more openings therein, each opening being of a desirable size and configuration.

The persent invention is adapted for perforating cans which have a circumferential lip, rim or bead, as an example a beverage can; or it may be used with rimless cans which have a substantially flat end surface, as an example a can of evaporated milk.

In the opening of a beverage containing can, which is also to be used as a drinking container, it is necessary to form a clean pierced hole or holes in the top of the can. There must not be any sharp protruding edges about the opening and the means of piercing the can should be sterile and germ-free.

Commercial vending machines are required by law to provide the utmost in precautionary measures for the publics health and safety. Accordingly, a can opening device for canned beverage containers preferably includes the most simple, trouble free, harmproof, and sanitary form of can opener; particularly when the can is to also serve as the drinking container.

Such an invention is characterized by its unique structural arrangement which does not necessitate the direct handling of the punching or piercing instruments or tools when in use. The invention is intended primarily for use with dispensers of known type and represents a substantial departure from prior can openers. I It is an object of the present invention to provide a device adapted to hold a can in place while an element adapted to pierce a cleanly defined and sterile opening in the top of the can is moved in a direction to pierce the top of the can and while said element is being withdrawn form the opening in the can.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a can opening or piercing device having the piercing cutter or cutters thereof disposed in a shielded and protected position when not in use for safety, health precautionary, and other.reasons.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a can opener which includes relatively few parts which are adapted to be assembled and disassembled with case, said partst being fastened together in a novel manner.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel can opener of extremely simple, inexpensive, and durable construction and which includes one or more piercing elements which are shielded in a germ-free and reasonably protected sanitary condition until used, said elements being adapted to be moved in a direction to pierce the can to provide openings therein, one opening corresponding to each of the piercing elements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a can punch comprising a bracket or housing for receiving and supporting a can, said housing having a pair of spaced walls, a handle having a pair of spaced walls adjacent the walls of the housing, first pivot means which is fixed between the walls of the housing and handle for mounting the handle for pivoted movement with respect thereto, a pair of links, one link pivoted on one end to each 3,24,33fi Patented Sept. 7, 1965 "ice wall of the handle, a carriage, second pivot means which is fixed between the carriage and the walls of the housing, movable pivot means between the other ends of the links and the carriage, and a cutter carried by the carriage, said links and said carriage being actuated by the rotation of the handle about said first pivot means to cause movement of the cutter in a direction to pierce a hole in the end wall of the can.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a can punch of the aforementioned type wherein the cutter has a downwardly facing cutting edge.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a can punch of the aforementioned type wherein the carriage carries a pair of cutters or piercing elements having downwardly facing cutting edges.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a can punch of the aforementioned type wherein the size of one of said cutters is larger than the size of the other of said cutters to puncture holes of different sizes in the end wall of the can.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a can punch of the aforementioned type wherein means are provided for electrically or otherwise sterilizing the cutters.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a can punch which includes a housing in which the can is inserted, said housing including a rotatable wall forming a handle which has a transparent partition therein, said handle being interconnected with one or more cutters and adapted upon rotation thereof to move the cutters in a direction to pierce the end wall of the can.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a can opener that may be easily removed from the dispenser and the component parts thereof disassembled for cleaning or servicing.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially .when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the can punch illustrating the cutters in a piercing position.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG- URE 1 but illustrating the cutters in an open or non-.

piercing position.

FIGURE 4 is a top view of the can punch illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view in section taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the lower housing taken on the line 77 of FIGURE 5 with certain parts removed.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of the lower housing taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 2 with certain parts removed.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevational view of the mounting bracket.

FIGURE 10 is a side elevational view of the upper housing.

The drawings show the can punch or can opener as indicated by the numeral 10. The essential elements of the can opener 10 includes a mounting bracket 11 and a housing 12 which is made from a plurality of elements or parts which may be readily assembled and disassembled. The housing 12 is adapted to receive and support a can 13 in an upright position. The can opener 10 also includes a movable actuating arm or handle 14 which forms one wall for the housing 12; movable actuating links 16 and 18; and a cutter carrying holder or carriage 20 which has attached thereto a pair of piercing or puncturing elements, cutters, or tools 22 and 24.

The housing 12 may be made in one piece or made of several parts as illustrated. The housing 12 includes a can receiving portion or upper housing or part 26 which is provided with a concavity 27 adapted to receive the can 13 in a substantially upright position and a lower housing or base 30 for supporting the can 13. The mounting bracket 11 is adapted to carry certain parts of the linkage actuating mechanism as will be subsequently described.

The mounting bracket 11 includes a back or rear wall 32 and a pair of spaced side Walls 34 and 36 of the shape best illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 6 and which are perpendicular to the rear wall 32. The side walls 34 and 36 are provided with channels or grooves 38 and 40 respectively which receive the outwardly extending, substantially straight, side flanges 42 and 44 respectively provided on the upper housing 26. The shape and configuration of the aforesaid grooves and flanges are best illustrated in FIGURES 6, 9, and 10. The flanges 42 and 44 provide a relatively tight fit with the sides of the grooves.

The upper housing 26 is provided with a substantially curved wall which defines the concavity 27. The bottom of the housing 26 is provided with a curved channel, groove, or track 46 which receives the outwardly extending arcuate side flange 48 provided on the lower housing or base 30 at the top thereof. The flange 48 has a relatively firm fit with the sides of the groove 46.

The mounting bracket 11, upper housing 26 and lower housing 30 are readily assembled by means of the aforesaid grooves and flanges. The parts are firmly held together but may be easily separated for cleaning and servicing.

The lower housing or base 30 as best illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8 is provided with a can retaining and locating means 52 which surrounds a can support having a plurality of upstanding ribs 54. A sump 56 for the overflow of the liquid surrounds the locating means 52 and ribs 54. Any liquid which may escape from the container or can 13 during the dispensing operation is collected in the sump 56 and removed therefrom by means of the drain hole 58. The lower housing 30 is also provided with a downwardly extending flange 60 at the front edge thereof.

The upper housing 26 includes at the front side thereof a suitable frame 02 for receiving the actuating arm or handle 14 which is designed to close the opening provided by'the frame 62. The handle 14 is provided at the upper end thereof with a pair of spaced flanges 64 and 66. The handle has an opening therein for receiving a transparent window 68 so that when the handle 14 is in an actuating position as illustrated in FIGURE 1, a person may view the interior of the housing 12 through the window 68.

The handle 14 is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket 11 by means of an elongated fixed pivot 70 which extends through the side walls 34 and 36 of-the bracket 11 and the flanges 64 and 66 of the handle 14.

The mounting bracket 11 is provided with a pair of mounting embossments 72 and 74. 'The carriage or cutter carrying holder 20 includes a base 76 and upstanding flanges 78 and 80. The holder 20 is pivotally connected to mounting bracket 11 by means of an elongated rod or pivot 84 which extends through the embossment 72, base 76, and embossment 74, as best illustrated in FIGURE 4-.

The actuating links 16 and 18 are connected on one end thereof to the handle flanges 64 and 66 respectively by means of a movable elongated rod or pivot 86. The other ends of the actuating links 16 and 18 are connected to the flanges 78 and 80 respectively on the holder 20 by means of movable pivots .88 and 90 respectively as best 4 illustrated in FIGURE 6. The carriage or holder 20 is mounted for rotation about the rod 84 when rotary movement is imparted to the holder 20 by the handle 14 through means of the actuating links 16 and 18.

The holder 20 includes means for carrying the piercing tools or cutters 22 and 24. The cutters 22 and 24 are provided with stems 92 and 94 respectively which are received in openings provided in the base 76 of the holder 20. Set screws 96 are carried by the base; 76 of the holder 20 for holding the cutters 22 and 24 in fixed positions.

The piercing or puncturing cutters 22 and 24. are each provided with downwardly facing cutting edges. Openings and 97 are provided in the top wall 93 of the upper housing 26 for permitting the cutters 22 and 24 respectively to be moved into the piercing position illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 6. The cutter 22 is larger than cutter 24. The cutters are designed so that cutter 22 will punch a larger hole in the end wall of the can 13 than tool 24. With such a construction cutter 22 will punch the beverage dispensing hole in the can while cutter 24 will punch the air hole in the end wall of the can.

Electrical means are provided on the holder 20 for sterilizing the cutters 22 and 24. An electrical cartridge type control heater 100 which includes a plurality of heating elements is located in an elongated opening provided in the base 76 of the holder 20. The control heater is effective to drive off the bacteria that forms on the cutters 22 and 24. A thermostat 102 for controlling the temperature of the heater 100 is provided. The thermostat 102 has a flange 104 which is fastened to the top of the base 76 of the holder 20 by screws 106. The thermostat 102 is effective to keep the temperature of the heater 100, as an example, between -180 F. The thermostat cuts off at approximately 185 F. and cuts in at approximately F. With such a construction the cutters are kept germ-free and sterile. The heater 100 and thermostat 102 are interconnected in an electrical circuit including electrical connections 108 and 110 respectively and a source of electrical potential, not shown.

The can opener 10 is intended to be mounted in the door 111 of a dispenser or on a support in a vertically disposed position. The mounting bracket 11 is fastened to the door 111 by fastening means 113 and is provided with a pair of angular shaped brackets 112 for clamping the housing 12 after assembly on the bracket 11. One leg 114 of each bracket 112 is connected to one of the side walls 34 and 36 by means of fasteners 116. The other legs 118 of the brackets 112 are intended to act as a handle while rotating brackets 112 to release the housing 12 for removal from the bracket 11 prior to cleaning or servicing.

When it is required to punch holes in the end wall of a can, it is necessary to move the handle 14 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 so that a can i3 may be inserted through the frame 62 into the interior of the housing 12. After the can 13 is positioned in the housing 12, the handle 14 is moved downwardly as indicated by the arrow A in FIGURE 3 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 1. As a result the handle 14 is pivoted about the fixed pivot or rod 70. Rotation of the handle 14 in turn moves the actuating links 16 and 18 through the movable pivot or rod 86. This results in the links 16 and 18 pivoting the carriage 20 about fixed pivot 84 so as to move the cutters 22 and 24 against the top end wall of the can 13 thereby placing the desired holes or openings in the end wall of the can 13.

After the can 13 has been pierced, the handle 14 is moved from the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to the position indicated in FIGURE 3 so that a person may remove the can 13 from the housing 12. When the handle 14 is in an actuating position a person may view the interior of the housing 12 through the transparent window 68. Any liquid which may escape from the container 13 during the dispensing operation is removed from the lower housing 30 by means of the drain hole 58.

When it is required to clean or service the can opener 10, the housing 12 is removed from the bracket 11 after rotating the brackets 112 to effect the release thereof. After removal of the housing 12 the lower housing 30 is removed from the upper housing 26 by disengaging the flange 48 from the groove 46.

While twd cutters have been illustrated in describing the present invention, it should be understood that only one cutter may be utilized.

Thus it cap be seen that the present invention provides a simple, safe acting and inexpensive device which operates efiiciently and conveniently in opening or piercing the end wall of a can and which may be easily removed and disassembled for cleaning and servicing.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved can opener in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. A can punch comprising a frame for receiving and supporting a can, said frame having a pair of spaced walls, a handle having a pair of spaced walls adjacent the walls of said frame, first pivot means which is fixed between the walls of said frame and handle for mounting said handle for pivotal movement with respect to said frame, a pair of links, one link pivoted on one end to each wall of said handle, a carriage, second pivot means which is fixed between said carriage and the walls of said frame, movable pivot means between the other ends of said links and said carriage, and a cutter having a downwardly facing cutting edge connected to said carriage, said links and said carriage being actuated by the rotation of said handle about said first pivot means to cause downward movement of said cutter for puncturing .a hole in the end wall of the can.

2. A can punch defined in claim 1 wherein said carriage carries a pair of cutters having downwardly facing cutting edges.

3. A can punch defined in claim 2 wherein the size of one of said cutters is larger than the other of said cutters to puncture holes of different sizes in the end Walls of the can.

4. A can punch defined in claim 1 wherein said handle is in a substantially horizontal position when the can punch is not in operation and is moved to a substantially vertical position when said links and carriage are actuated.

5. A can punch defined in claim 1 wherein electrical heating means are mounted on said carriage to provide sterilizing heat for said cutter.

6. A can punch comprising a mounting bracket having grooves therein, an upper housing part, a lower housing part, outwardly extending flanges on said upper housing part which are received in said grooves, a track in the inner periphery at the lower end of said upper housing part, an outwardly extending flange on the upper end of said lower housing part which is received in said track, said parts defining means for receiving and supporting a can, an actuating handle mounted on said bracket for pivotal movement, a cutter carrying holder pivotally connected to said bracket, a cutter carried by said holder, and a link pivotally connected on one end to said handle and on the other end to said holder, said link and said holder being actuated by the rotation of said handle with respect to said housing parts to cause said cutter to be moved in a direction to pierce a hole in the can.

7. A can punch defined in claim 6 wherein releasable locking means are provided for holding said upper housing part in an assembled position with said mounting bracket.

8. A can punch defined in claim 6 wherein electrical heating means are mounted on said holder to provide sterilizing heat for said cutter.

9. A can punch defined in claim 6 wherein said lower housing part is provided with a plurality of upstanding ribs in the bottom wall thereof upon which the can rests.

10. A can punch defined in claim 9 wherein portions of said lower housing part surrounding said upstanding ribs define a sump for collecting the liquid which escapes from the can.

11. A can punch defined in claim 10 wherein a drain opening is provided in the bottom wall of the sump for removing the escaped liquid therein.

12. A can punch comprising a mounting bracket having side walls provided with grooves therein, an upper housing part including a pair of side walls and a top wall, a lower housing part, outwardly extending flanges on the side walls of said upper housing part which are received in said grooves, a track in the inner periphery at the lower end of said upper housing part, an outwardly extending flange on the upper end of said lower housing part which is received in said track, said parts defining means for receiving and supporting a can, an actuating handle mounted on said bracket for pivotal movement, a carriage located above the top wall of said upper housing part and pivotally connected to said bracket, a cutter carried by said carriage, a cutter opening in the top wall of said upper housing part, and a link pivotally connected to said handle and to said carriage, said link and said carriage being actuated by the rotation of said handle with respect to said housing parts to cause said cutter to be moved through the cutter opening in said top wall of the upper housing part to pierce a hole in the can.

13. The structure defined in claim 12 wherein said carriage is provided with a pair of cutters having downwardly facing cutting edges, said cutters having corresponding cutter openings provided in the top wall of said upper housing part whereby upon actuation of said carriage said cutters are moved through said cutter openings in said top wall to pierce two holes in the end wall of the can.

14. The structure defined in claim 12 wherein releasable locking means are provided for holding said upper housing part in an assembled position with said mounting bracket.

15. A can punch comprising a mounting bracket having grooves therein, an upper housing part, a lower housing part, outwardly extending flanges on said upper housing part which are received in said grooves, a track in the inner periphery at the lower end of said upper housing part, an outwardly extending flange on the upper end of said lower housing part which is received in said track, said parts defining means for receiving and supporting a can, an actuating handle mounted on said bracket for pivotal movement, a cutter carrrying holder pivotally connected to said bracket, a cutter carried by said holder and linkage means pivotally connected to said holder and to said handle, said linkage means and said holder being actuated by the rotation of said handle with respect to said housing parts to cause said cutter to be moved in a direction to pierce a hole in the can.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,895,378 1/33 DeVilbiss 30-6.1 2,516,746 7/50 Barlow 306.1 2,598,314 5/52 Skorupa et a1. 30--6.1 2,958,942 11/60 Fazekas 306.1 2,974,410 3/61 Sano 30--'6.1

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD V. BENHAM, Examiner. 

1. A CAN PUNCH COMPRISING A FRAME FOR RECEIVING AND SUPPORTING A CAN, SAID FRAME HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED WALLS, A HANDLE HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED WALLS ADJACENT THE WALLS OF SAID FRAME, FIRST PIVOT MEANS WHICH IS FIXED BETWEEN THE WALLS OF SAID FRAME AND HANDLE FOR MOUNTING SAID HANDLE FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID FRAME, A PAIR OF LINKS, ONE LINK PIVOTED ON ONE END TO EACH WALL OF SAID HANDLE, A CARRIAGE, SECOND IVOT MEANS WHICH IS FIXED BETWEEN SAID CARRIAGE AND THE WALLS OF SAID FRAME, MOVABLE PIVOT MEANS BETWEEN THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID LINKS AND SAID CARRIAGE, AND A CUTTER HAVING A DOWNWARDLY FACING CUTTING EDGE CONNECTED TO SAID CARRIAGE, SAID LINKS AND SAID CARRIAGE BEING ACTUATED BY THE ROTATION OF SAID HANDLE ABOUT SAID FIRST PIVOT MEANS TO CAUSE DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID CUTTER FOR PUNCTURING A HOLE IN THE END WALL OF THE CAN. 